The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-12-24

dren, bidding them come to the library In
half an hour and help him open his pack.
Bessie well knew what that meant Papa
had brought her lots OF nice things, as she
explained to Nellie. assuring her that she
should have half of them ''Oh Bessie" :"
was all the poor child could reply.
To her, the half-hour spent in Bessie's
nursery seemed little more than moment,
as she feasted her eyes on all the wonders
there. And Bessie herself soon forgot
every thing else in the pleasure of exhibit
ing them. The stroke of the clock recalled
her, however, and seiZing Nellie's hand
they were of to the library like whirl-
wind
Papa and awaited them there, and on the
table before us was the mysterious pack, as
he had called his large valise Such q time
AZ we had searching from among its con-
tents the various bundles marked with our
names
Bessie clapped her hands delightedly as
one after another of her beautiful toys was
disclosed, and astonished her papa and me
beyond measure by her liberality toward
her little guest. who stood looking on and
receiving what was given her without q
word, seeming half-dazed with wonder and
happiness.
When the gifts had been distributed she
stole quietly to retired window. Bessie
soon followed and found her absorbed in
the contemplation of miniature likeness,
which she held in one hand while with the
other she grasped the corners Of her treas
ure-laden apron.
II am looking ut mamma" she said, in
answer to Bessie's inquiry. @See how she
is smiling because l am SO happy. i was
almost sure she would know"
.And she really does" said Bessie, with
sweet credulity. "How pretty she il Let's
the picture from the unresisting hand, she
ran to us, holding it out and exclaiming:
ALook, this il Nellie's pretty mamma"
"Can it be possible" gasped my husband,
growing deathly pale Margaret, 1t is the
face of my poor, misg uided sister. And this
Is her orphan, he continued, us he rose and
took the frightened child In his arms
Don't be afraid, little one. You shall
never want q fathers love while live.
Come, wife, come, Bessie, add your welcome
to mine, for henceforth this poor little waif
must have place in our home and hearts
We needed no second bidding, and hap
pier family than ours could not have been
found that day in all Christendom.
The real cause of my husbands agitation
on hearing the childs name was now made
clear to me. The name was his sisters, but
not finding in the face the resemblance he
sought, he had decided that Nelly Martin
was too common name to be significant
He had never spoken to me of his sister
because, as he said, he could hardly bear to
think, much less talk, of her. She had been
his bOyhoOd's idol but had married un-
fortunately In her shame and disappoint-
ment she had eXiled herself from home and
f,.tx I.,lt Ill Il,
death OF her unworthy husband, which had
occurred before Nellie could remember
Fido, reinstated in his old place, now di-
vldes his attention between his old and his
new mistress, and Nellie, in the genial at
mosphere of our happy home, h. come
almost as plump and rosy as Bess... She
fondly believes that Santa Claus was instru-
mental In bringing her to US, and wonders
what he can do for her this Christmas to In
any way compare with that
Mrs BARBARA WHITsoN.